UALR and UAPB Put Smoke-free Policies in Place Before Statewide Law Takes Effect - October 2nd, 2009
In August 2010, Arkansas state colleges and universities will be required to make their campuses smoke-free, but two schools are taking matters into their own hands to start protecting students from secondhand smoke now. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock have implemented smoke-free policies to provide healthier environments for learning, and their efforts have already yielded enrollment in tobacco quitting programs.
To support its new policy, UALR held Cessation Days in August to educate students about the dangers of tobacco, rid the campus of cigarette butts and enroll tobacco users in a program to quit. The cessation celebration week included games, giveaways and distribution of educational materials to help students and faculty recognize the campus is now smoke free.
The Cessation Days events produced enrollment in various cessation programs: five people signed up for UALR cessation classes; four people registered for quit coaching through the Arkansas Tobacco Quitline; and two people completed a fax referral form to receive treatment at a later time. UALR offers on-site as well as online quitting classes. Although the classes are not for school credit, they offer education and group support to help tobacco users quit.
The statewide law, which will take effect in August, makes it illegal for anyone to smoke on a state-funded college campus. Violators could face fines from $100 to $500. To quit tobacco through the Arkansas Tobacco Quitline, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free motivational counseling and free medications while supplies last.
